Septura
Brass septet
At a glance
Septura
Brass septet
Virtuoso playing: glossy, brilliantly articulated, audaciously coloured, technically flawless.Anna Picard, BBC Music Magazine
Septura brings together the UK’s top orchestral players, born out of a passion for the awe-inspiring sound of brass instruments. Their creation – the brass septet – is uniquely vibrant and versatile, and aims to harness its intense emotional power to produce transformative musical experiences for audiences around the world.
Biography —
Septura brings together London’s leading players to redefine brass chamber music through the uniquely expressive sound of the brass septet.
Septura was born out of a passion for the awe-inspiring sound of brass instruments. The ensemble’s creation – the brass septet – is uniquely vibrant and versatile, and Septura aims to harness its intense emotional power to produce transformative musical experiences for audiences. In short, it is pioneering a simple message: music sounds better on brass.
To fulfil its mission Septura has brought together the very best brass players in the UK – holding principal positions in the Royal Philharmonic, London Symphony, BBC Symphony and Philharmonia orchestras – and with their unparalleled skill and virtuosity the ensemble has forged a chamber group described as “dazzlingly polished” (BBC Music Magazine), and now firmly established as one of the best in the world.
Artistic Directors, Simon Cox and Matthew Knight, are two of the most preeminent and prolific arrangers for brass, and together they have created a diverse counterfactual canon: re-imagining great music of the past for brass, and addressing historical imbalances by putting a spotlight on under-represented composers. Looking to the future, Septura is commissioning leading composers such as Roxanna Panufnik to create a rich repertoire of original music for brass septet.
Weaving its ever-increasing repertoire into vivid and captivating live events, Septura continues to break down barriers with musical and cross-arts collaborations, recently working with artists ranging from Cathy Tyson and Derek Jacobi to John Rutter and The Sixteen. The ensemble takes its inimitable innovative programming around the world, touring in Europe, Japan, South America and the USA, as well as performing at the UK’s most prestigious festivals and venues, including regular appearances at London’s Wigmore Hall.
Septura records regular releases for Naxos Records, and the first nine discs have received widespread critical acclaim, described variously as “irresistible” (The Observer), “exceptional” (The Arts Desk) and “brass playing at its most exalted” (Fanfare). Its next recording will highlight the music of female composers, past and present.
Currently Ensemble in Residence at the Royal Academy of Music, London, in 2023 Septura launched its first residential Summer Brass Academy in collaboration with the Rudolfus Foundation to inspire future generations of brass players. The group’s outreach work also includes close collaboration with the Amber Trust, through which they introduce the power of brass instruments to blind and partially-sighted children.
News —

Septura celebrates 10th anniversary
Septura celebrates its 10th anniversary with a concert at Wigmore Hall on 16th November, including a world premiere by Roxanna Panufnik Read more

Septura in Colombia
The Brass Septet give concerts in Bogotá and Montería Read more

Septura on tour in Japan
Performing 'Christmas with Septura' in Tokyo, Matsumoto & Kyoto Read more

Septura Brass Septet launch Academy
Septura Brass Academy launched in collaboration with the Rodolfus Foundation Read more

Septura return to USA
Septura return to the USA for a 7-concert tour Read more
Photos —





Reviews —
If you like English pastoral music, and the sound of brass, this album is irresistible
Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian
I heartily recommend Septura to anyone who likes chamber music, even if he/she is not a brass fan in particular. I have certainly been converted to the unique sound world of the brass septet.
Nahoko Gotoh, Bachtrack
The standard is absolutely higher than brass playing has ever been before
Alison Balsom, BBC Radio 2
Virtuoso playing: glossy, brilliantly articulated, audaciously coloured, technically flawless *****
Anna Picard, BBC Music Magazine
British brass playing is the envy of the world, and when you hear Septura you can hear exactly why
Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal, Royal Academy of Music
This is brass playing at its most exalted
Robert Markow, Fanfare
Beautifully intoned
Paul Driver
Some of the most perfect technical execution in brass performance recorded to date
Tom Davoren, Brass Band World
The sound of Septura is exceptionally beautiful – warm and rounded but with dazzling brilliance too when required...the perfection of ensemble, balance and intonation is striking
Nick Barnard, MusicWeb International
An uplifting debut from a magnificent seven *****
Fiona Maddocks, Observer
It’s an inspired idea to take classical pieces and rearrange them for brass septet. It’s a unique combination of instruments, and it produces a unique sound, which I love
John Suchet, Presenter, Classic FM
A recital of pure gold
Ritmo
Beautiful from beginning to end
Barry Kilpatrick, American Record Guide
Selected Discography —

The Nutcracker
Brassband WorldThe Nutcracker is a mightily impressive achievement

Music for Brass Septet 6: Elgar, Finzi, Parry, Walton

Fauré, Ravel, Debussy: Music for Brass Septet 5

Christmas with Septura
BBC Music MagazineA recital so entertaining that the missing words don’t matter *****

Gabrieli, Lassus, Palestrina, Victoria: Music for Brass Septet 4
Paul DriverBeautifully intoned

Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Rachmaninov: Music for Brass Septet 3
Fiona MaddocksBrilliantly done *****

Handel, Purcell, Rameau, Blow: Music for Brass Septet 2
Anna Picard, BBC Music MagazineDazzlingly polished…this is virtuoso playing: glossy, brilliantly articulated, audaciously coloured, technically flawless

Brahms, Bruckner, Mendelssohn, Schumann: Music for Brass Septet
Fiona Maddocks, The ObserverUplifting debut from a magnificent seven *****
Related Media —
Preview of Septura’s debut New Zealand tour: an introduction to the group
View on YouTubeDebussy: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair – Septura with Phil Cobb
View on YouTubeDebussy: Minstrels live in the USA
View on YouTubeIn the Bleak midwinter (Darke) – Christmas with Septura
View on YouTubeShostakovich: 8th String Quartet for Brass Septet – Septura
View on YouTubeHandel: Suite from 'Rinaldo' for Brass Septet – Septura featuring Matthew Gee (trombone)
View on YouTubeDownloads —
Contact —
Name
- Ellie Lister